Trace catch and holder.



Nu. 695,785. Patented Mar. l8, I902.

C. H. BLANCHARD.

TRACE CATCH AND HOLDER.

(Application filed. Dec. 12, 1901.)

(No Model.)

W v @eam/i W lliuirnn Srarns arnnr FFICE.

CHARLES II. BLANCl-IARD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

TRACE CATCH AND HOLDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 695,785, dated March 18, 1902.

Application filed December 12. 1901. Serial No. 85,608. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, CHARLES H. BLANCH- ARD, of the city of St. Louis,'Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace Catches and Holders, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to trace catches and holders; and it consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The object of this invention is to construct an improved device to be applied to a single or double tree of a vehicle.

A further object is to provide a device that may be applied to any single or double tree without the use 0f any separate fastening devices, such as screws, rivets, or the like.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a singletree, showing the trace in position and held by my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the blank from which the casing of my invention is formed. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the blank partly shaped. Fig. 4 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3 with the supportingtongues bent downwardly, showing the casing as it would appear in readiness to be inserted into the single or double tree. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the singletree, showing my device in operative position. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the same. Fig. 7is a detail perspective view of the catch made use of in carrying out my invention. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan View of the singletree, showing the manner in which the device is fastened.

1 is the single or double tree, and 2 the trace of the harness. In the single or double tree, near its end, is formed a slot 3, in which is placed and securely held my invention, consisting of a casing at, having vertical walls 5, flanges 6, formed at right angles thereto, and a bottom or horizontal section 7. In the horizontal section is formed a slot 8, and at the ends of said section is a projecting tongue 9. Between the walls of the casing is pivotally mounted a catch 10, consisting of two arms a and 7), arranged at right angles, and either arm may be held in a vertical position by a spring 11, located in the casing beneath the catch. (See Figs. 5 and 7.) The purpose of the spring is to hold the catch rigidlyin position. The catch being pivoted within the easing can be operated, bringing either of the arms a and 1) into a vertical position, and is accomplished by the pressure applied to the trace in placing or replacing the same upon the singletree. The casing is formed (see Figs. 2, 3, and 4) from a single sheet by the use of a die, cutting it into the shape as shown in Fig. 2. It is then formed into the shape as shown in Fig. 5, and when completed will assume the shape as shown in Fig. 4, the tongues 9 being bent downwardly. The catch and spring are then inserted, and in this condition it is placed upon the market and inserted in the slot of the singletree. After the device has been placed within the slot of the singletree the tongues 9 are bent horizontally to engage the opposite side of the singletree, as shown in Fig. 5, locking the casing within the slot, preventing upward movement, and is supported at the top by the flanges 6. (See Fig. 6.) When attached to the singletree in this manner, the same is self-supported therein without the use of screws, rivets, or like devices.

In applying a trace to a singletree provided with my invention it is necessary first to place the catch so that its arm a is in a horizontal position, bringing the arm I) at right angles thereto, as shown in Fig. 7. The trace is then placed over the singletree and is pressed against the arm I), forcing it downwardly in a horizontal position and bringing the arm a into a vertical position, locking the trace, as is indicated in Fig. 1. The tension of the spring is of sufficient strength as to prevent the catch from moving out of position without the use of pressure. To remove the trace after the same is in the position as shown in Fig. 1, it is necessary only to pull upon the trace, which will place the catch in the position as first stated, leavingit in readiness for a repeated action.

In placing my device upon a doubletree where a shaft is not used for emergency I apply the trace, allowing it to bear against the arm I) after the same has been brought into a vertical position. This will securely lock the trace upon the doubletree, preventing it in any way from becoming detached.

I claim 1 A trace catch and holder, consisting of a casing having opposite flanges adapted to engage opposite sides of the sin gletree and by means of which the entire device is held within a slot in the singletree, and means in said casing for holding the trace upon the singletree, substantially as specified.

2. A trace catch and holder having a casing formed from a single sheet, bent and provided with integral opposite flanges adapted to engage opposite sides of the sin gletree, and a catch pivotally mounted within the casing, substantially as specified.

CHARLES H. BLANOHARD.

Witnesses:

ALFRED A. EIOKS, JOHN G. HIGDON. 

